Insider reveals possible timeline for Aaron Rodgers trade

It seems the NFL community could be in the final days of the trade saga involving the New York Jets, Green Bay Packers and quarterback Aaron Rodgers. 

Jets reporter Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic wrote Wednesday that he's "gotten a sense that the teams aren’t as far apart as many seem to think" regarding the Jets acquiring Rodgers from the Packers. 

"Maybe they will take it right up until the draft, but I think the trade will get done much sooner — possibly even by the end of this week," Rosenblatt noted. 

Rosenblatt offered his update after Charles Robinson of Yahoo Sports reported late Monday night that the teams hadn't yet agreed to terms on "protection for draft-pick compensation in the event that Rodgers doesn’t play in the 2024 NFL season." 

On Wednesday morning, former Jets quarterback and current "The NFL Today" analyst Boomer Esiason said the teams were "very close" to making a trade and that the Jets wanted pick protection in the event that Rodgers retires after a single season with Gang Green. 

Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio then said during a Wednesday appearance on "The Pat McAfee Show" that the Packers were no longer asking for pick No. 13 overall in this year's draft from the Jets for Rodgers. 

Rosenblatt predicted the Packers will receive a 2023 second-round draft pick, a 2024 second-round choice and wide receiver Corey Davis from the Jets. In return, Rosenblatt has the Jets getting Rodgers and a conditional 2025 third-round pick that they would only receive if the future Hall of Famer doesn’t play after the upcoming season. 

"There could be a Day 3 pick thrown in for one or both teams, too. But both sides should be happy with a deal with that sort of framework," Rosenblatt added. 

Both Robinson and Brian Costello of the New York Post, among others, recently pointed out it would probably behoove everyone involved for the trade to be announced before the teams begin their offseason programs on April 17. Jets owner Woody Johnson, New York general manager Joe Douglas and Packers head coach Matt LaFleur all indicated this week that Rodgers will be playing home games at MetLife Stadium later in the year. 

Everyone can see the finish line. It's just a matter of crossing it, ideally before April 17.